BIS Consultinghttp://www.bisconsultants.com
Simplifying IT, GIS and Web for County GovernmentFri, 25 Jan 2019 18:30:44 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.3BIS Welcomes New Team Membershttp://www.bisconsultants.com/bis-welcomes-new-team-members/
Fri, 25 Jan 2019 18:27:13 +0000http://www.bisconsultants.com/?p=7750We are rolling into 2019 with a few new faces at the office so we wanted to introduce you. Please welcome Dan, Alex, Deanne and Brian to BIS!

Dan Fasteen, Ph.D. is the Director of Special Projects for BIS consulting where he coordinates, designs, and implements analytical services and solutions for GIS and mass appraisal. He has been in the property valuation profession since 2010 working for local government jurisdictions in North Dakota and Minnesota. His primary areas of expertise include the design and application of spatial automated valuation models (AVM’s) to mass valuation problems, and the integration of GIS and CAMA systems technology. Dan has a Master’s degree in Geography and a Ph.D. in Research Methodologies and applied Statistics, both from the University of North Dakota. He has presented papers at numerous conferences and international research symposiums, currently serves on the editorial review board of the Journal of Property Tax Assessment & Administration, and is a former Chair of the IAAO Research Subcommittee. Dan also coauthored the book, “GIS for Property Tax and Assessment Professionals” available on the Amazon market place.

Alex Sanders joins the BIS team as the new lead technical GIS analyst. Alex is a proud alumnus from Southwest Texas State University (for some reason they are calling it Texas State these days) with a degree in Geography. After college, Alex worked a few years for private Engineering firms before joining the State of Texas with the General Land Office. He is excited to bring his many years of experience of working with GIS systems for the State of Texas and his continued focus on customer support to BIS Consulting. Alex lives with his family in Georgetown and enjoys the plethora of outdoor activities that central Texas provides.

Deanne Gonzalez is joining our fast growing deed processing team as a Deed Processor II. She worked at Travis CAD as a GIS Tech and also at Kerr CAD as an Ag Appraiser. Deanne was born and raised in Austin and moved to Boerne Texas 6 years ago. She enjoys riding her horses, mountain biking, fishing, working out and watching sunsets with a glass of wine and her husband.

Brian Noble is our new Chief Financial Officer. He has 20 years of experience guiding start-ups from content to market in varied industries and has a deep knowledge of financial reporting and accounting. Brian has been in the C suite for more than 20 years holding titles such as CEO, CFO, and COO. He has a certificate in General Management Distinguished, Darden School of Business – University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA and he holds a Bachelor’s of Science from Missouri State University.

Microsoft Windows 7 was made available to most customers in October 2009, and it replaced Microsoft Windows Vista. Compared with previous versions of Windows, it offered improved performance, a better user interface, and several additional features such as libraries. Nine years later, Windows 7 is approaching obsolescence: Microsoft announced that free extended software support ends in January 2020, although paid-for software support will continue until 2023.

Software Support

Microsoft, like many software companies, regularly updates their products. We know this as “patching,” and as it implies, it means covering up an area of weakness. These weaknesses are known as “critical software vulnerabilities,” by which a malicious application could hack your computer and access sensitive areas. For those customers benefiting from BIS’s IT Maintenance service, your computers are patched on Tuesday evenings. Microsoft patches critical software vulnerabilities to make it much harder for hackers to gain access to your computer, but this only happens during the support period.

What does this mean?

2020 is months away, right? It is, but for those customers with computers still running Windows 7, in order to keep your computer as protected as possible, you should plan to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 in 2019.

If you have a particularly old computer, perhaps one that was originally running an older version of Microsoft Windows, you might want to consider upgrading and replacing the whole box. Older computers can still run Windows 10, but computers are like any other machine and they eventually wear out and break down. If it’s time to upgrade your aging computers, or if you just want to upgrade your version of Windows, give David Steele a call at (800) 247-9045 or email at dsteele@bisconsultants.com, and he’ll be happy to help.

2018 Inc. 5000 – Press Release
NEW YORK, August 15, 2018 – Inc. magazine today revealed that BIS Consulting is No. 2714 on its 37th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

“If you’re not happy, it’s your fault.”

Not only have the companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 (which are listed online at Inc.com, with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 15) been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2018 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 538.2 percent, and a median rate of 171.8 percent. The Inc. 5000’s aggregate revenue was $206.1 billion in 2017, accounting for 664,095 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

“If your company is on the Inc. 5000, its unparalleled recognition of your years of hard work and sacrifice,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. “The lines of business may come and go, or come and stay. What doesn’t change is the way entrepreneurs create and accelerate the forces that shape our lives.”

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held October 17 to 19, 2018, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort, in San Antonio, Texas. As always, speakers include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

BIS Consulting’s mission is to revolutionize government technology and redefine customer service. We are a full range technology partner offering solutions in IT, GIS, and Website Applications such as Online Forms, Online Protest, Property Search, and GIS Interactive Maps to support local government entities. We pride ourselves in delivering exemplary customer service to all office sizes and budgets.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2018 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2014 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2017. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 18,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of these companies. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions.

]]>Visit BIS Consulting At TAAD 2018!http://www.bisconsultants.com/visit-bis-taad-2018/
Fri, 23 Feb 2018 17:55:50 +0000http://www.bisconsultants.com/?p=6940
BIS Consulting will be present at the 2018 TAAD conference, which is being held from February 25 through to February 28 at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas. At the conference, we will be joining chief appraisers, appraisal office personnel, district directors, review board members, elected officials of taxing units, and others. The TAAD conference is billed as the ideal place to introduce and demonstrate new products and services to the market, as well as keep up with existing clients.

For 2018, the TAAD conference has a number of interesting items on the agenda with the keynote speech delivered by ex-Dallas Cowboys and veteran, Chad Hennings. There will also be classes based around topics including “Big-Box Valuation Methodology… Shaken, Not Stirred,” “Recovering from Professional Burn Out,” “The Six Estates in Land,” “How to Value Them,” and many others.

BIS will also be presenting a classroom session on maintaining and updating your website at the TAAD conference on Monday, February 26. We will be running the class to help you prepare for the 2018-19 MAP Review for Taxpayer Assistance. The class is free of charge for anybody at the conference and participants will quality for one TDLR Continuing Education Units for Property Tax Professionals for the Appraisal Standards and Methodology. If you are interested in the course, you can find out more information here, noting that we are provider number 2010, running course 18016.

As well as providing an informative class, BIS will also be providing a special drop in service at their booth – visit for more information and to be serviced by our expert technicians! We are also offering clients the opportunity to ‘get rowdy’ at Billy Bob’s in conjunction with Thomas Y. Pickett, Certified Payments, Asset Drone, Eagle Appraisal, and Tyler Technologies on Monday evening, where we welcome all TAAD attendees to an evening of dinner and line dancing with an open bar. Actually: if you are reading this, you are invited to Billy Bob’s on the Monday night, and please RSVP here.

We hope to see you there!

]]>Navarro CAD’s Property Owners Now File Their State Forms Online!http://www.bisconsultants.com/navarro-cad-file-state-forms-online/
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 22:41:15 +0000http://www.bisconsultants.com/?p=6876
Navarro Central Appraisal District is the first office to go live this year with our new Online Forms system. They are now rocking all of the BIS Website Suite services: Online Forms, Online Protest, Property Search, and GIS Interactive Map.

Having these services on the new BIS Website theme allows their office to provide a seamless transition with effortless navigation for their website users. The mobile version also handles a straightforward user interface with quick access to these frequently used services.

]]>Intel Spectre/Meltdown Response Noticehttp://www.bisconsultants.com/intel-spectre-meltdown-response-notice/
Mon, 08 Jan 2018 20:16:22 +0000http://www.bisconsultants.com/?p=6858
Intel recently announced a security flaw with all Intel chips found in servers, workstations, and Mac products. Microsoft will be deploying a patch to address and correct the flaw on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

BIS will deploy this patch to all clients and machines that are currently under our IT Maintenance services. If you are not covered by a BIS maintenance plan and would like assistance, please call us and we’ll be happy to help. (800)247-9045

]]>BIS’s First Deed Training Class in Dallas Receives Recognition!http://www.bisconsultants.com/deed-training-class-receives-recognition/
Tue, 28 Nov 2017 18:00:13 +0000http://www.bisconsultants.com/?p=6774
BIS Consulting successfully held a Deed Training class at the Hilton Dallas Lincoln Center on November 9, 2017 with an overwhelming attendance of fifty appraisal and property tax professionals from all across Texas! The event initially was planned to be held at the BIS offices for a smaller crowd but as word spread that BIS was offering a 6 TDLR continuing education unit deed specific course, plans quickly changed and a more extensive off-site event was arranged with sponsorship assistance from Thomas Y. Pickett.

TYP, an industry expert at complex appraisal and trusted partner of BIS, helped to provide transportation and lunch for the attendees. Guests were treated to Saltgrass Steakhouse for a decadent plate of garlic mashed potatoes and their choice of the top sirloin & shrimp, rib-eye, or Laredo chicken. Much thanks and gratitude to Brian Lipka of TYP for the generosity of providing such a great lunch for our attendees.

The Deed Training class was highly reviewed by the post-event survey which reports that 100% of the respondents enjoyed the class and 88% received the deed content they were expecting. In addition to the positive reviews, the City of Brookshire honored BIS with an article in their local newspaper, The Times Tribune. The article details the class’s content and discussion topics. Click the button below to read the full article.

With the success of the event, BIS plans to hold more training classes in the future and welcomes all course suggestions. Our goal is to better serve the appraisal and property tax community whether it be affordable technology or training for all staff levels.

]]>BIS Consulting Welcomes Valwood Improvement Authority Tax Officehttp://www.bisconsultants.com/bis-welcomes-valwood-improvement-authority/
Mon, 16 Oct 2017 16:50:32 +0000http://www.bisconsultants.com/?p=6679
BIS Consulting is pleased to welcome the Valwood Improvement Authority Tax Office to the family. The office is a Road and Bridge office, established by state law, and is involved with drainage and flood control projects in the Farmers Branch area. The Valwood Improvement Authority will be using our IT Maintenance plan for both Servers and Workstations in order to keep the office IT systems running smoothly. In addition, we are providing our Automated Backup service. Our IT team has just completed the set-up of the new services and we are looking forward to working with the staff at the Valwood Improvement Authority office.

If you are interested in working with BIS Consulting to take advantage of our competitive IT Maintenance or Automated Backup services, please contact us! You can email Brandon Kay, Co-CEO, directly at bkay@bisconsultants.com or our IT Director, Heath Hatch at hhatch@bisconsultants.com. We are also available by phone at 800-247-9045.

]]>BIS Consulting Expands Into Alabama and Welcomes Macon Countyhttp://www.bisconsultants.com/bis-expands-to-alabama/
Wed, 11 Oct 2017 15:11:00 +0000http://www.bisconsultants.com/?p=6658
BIS Consulting is expanding into Alabama and we are pleased to announce our first client in that state. Macon County’s seat is the city of Tuskegee and the county tax office is now benefiting from our Email Hosting, Website Hosting, and Tax Payment services. The online tax payment system’s credit card processing function is powered by Certified Payments, our trusted credit card gateway partner.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Macon County and we are excited to have them join our family!

If you would like to know more about our Website or Email hosting services, IT Maintenance, GIS Maintenance, and other services, please send us an email at bkay@bisconsultants.com or call us at 800-247-9045.

]]>BIS Consulting Welcomes Robertson CAD and Supports Limestone CAD with Additional Services!http://www.bisconsultants.com/welcome-robertson-limestone-cad/
Wed, 20 Sep 2017 17:24:03 +0000http://www.bisconsultants.com/?p=6616
We are pleased to announce a new family member: Robertson County Appraisal District. We are also honored to further support Limestone County Appraisal District with new services! Each appraisal district will be debuting their new services beginning January 1, 2018.

Robertson County Appraisal District will be utilizing our Website Hosting, Property Search, and Online Protest services. Robertson CAD will also be benefiting from our GIS Interactive Map and GIS Support services.

The Limestone County Appraisal District has been a Website Hosting client of ours for the past few years. They will be adding our GIS Interactive Map, GIS Support, GIS Production and GIS Training services beginning in January. The appraisal district will also benefit from our IT Maintenance for both Workstations and Servers, plus our Automated Backup service.

Our IT, Website, and GIS teams are already preparing for the go live date in January, and we would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to our family members. If you would like to know more about our IT, GIS, or website hosting services, please contact us at bkay@bisconsultants.com or 800-247-9045.